This is a simple project, but one I've been wanting to do for some time now. It will feature mostly full page art illustrations by me and colored by industry professionals Jeremiah Skipper (most of them), but also by Joe Spadaford, me, Chuck Vollmer and Jesse Heagy. With some sketches sprinkled in there also. Most of the content are fan drawings, commissions, or "for fun" drawings I've done over the last couple years. A few might by favorites of mine from a little farther back than that. I want this to feel like the "ultimate" Tom Bancroft art book. If you've enjoyed my artwork on Instagram (tombancroft1), DeviantArt, or other places over the years, I think you'll like this book.

My background is character design and traditional animation- mostly with Disney Feature Animation. I worked on many of the classic Disney films of the 90s (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, Tarzan, Mulan, and Brother Bear to name a few) but also worked on Veggietales, ABCMouse.com, and other properties for Marvel, DC, Archie comics and more. In my 30 year career I've also illustrated many children's books, created comic books and worked on video games too. You've seen little pieces of me all over the place and probably didn't know it. Additionally, I've written two perennial art instruction books: "Creating Characters with Personality" and "Character Mentor" that are the #1 best selling books on the subject of Character Design and are used as text books at art schools around the world. Much of those artistic influences will be in this book in some way.

My goal is to keep this Kickstarter simple: It's about creating this book. The artwork for the book is finished, the graphic design/page layout is already in process and the printer in China is Global PSD, whom I've worked with before on my Opposite Forces" graphic novel. They do excellent work. I do have some REWARD tiers for artwork that is either already in the book or might be if we reach a later Milestone goal, so that artwork is already completed, so you should have nothing to fear concerning this project not getting finished or being delayed.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO? That's easy- about 70-75% goes to paying to get the books printed. Another 15% goes to shipping supplies for the books (along with additional shipping costs in the Reward tiers themselves). Lastly, about 8-10% is allocated for Kickstarter fees and about 3% for my graphic designer. There is NOTHING in this for me besides a few left over books (I hope!) that I can sell at a later date. IF we go beyond the asking amount, I hope to get some of my work/expenses/time paid for, but I do not expect it. (My wife would like that though.) I also hope to put some more of that back into the books by adding Milestone Goals (more pages!) as we go.

Let's do this!

Thank you for considering backing and supporting this Kickstarter! I need you to help me make this book project a reality. -Tom Bancroft

Just some of the artwork that will be INSIDE the book

JUST ADDED (May 6) : BY POPULAR REQUEST- ADD- ONS!

EDIT: STRETCH GOALS BEING ADDED! (See Below):

THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

JUST ADDED!

ANOTHER BOOK! "Outnumbered" comic strip book!

(NOTE: More Stretch Goals may be added as we go- please leave me a comment with things you'd like to see/ thoughts you have.)

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Here's more information about the REWARD TIERS:

Below are examples of The Art of Tom Bancroft book, the "Superhero Sketchbook" PDF, the Tom Bancroft "Sketches" PDF, the Spidey and Supergirl prints (combined in this image, but they are separate prints), and the Opposite Forces graphic novel. (All are not to scale.)

Some of the REWARD EXAMPLES (read reward descriptions to know which are included)

05-16-16- NEW ORIGINAL ARTWORK REWARDS ADDED!!-

-The Captain reading to his Woman tier- original, hand inked artwork on 9 x 12" bristol board by Tom Bancroft. INCLUDES an "Art of Tom Bancroft book". (Note: There is a bit more art to the right side, including the rest of Cap's foot.)

This artwork appears in the Art of Tom Bancroft book, digitally colored.

For the RED SONJA ORIGINAL ART REWARD (LIMIT 1):

For the ORIGINAL ART ELSA and ANNA REWARD (LIMIT 1):

For the ORIGINAL ARTWORK FOR THE COVER REWARD (LIMIT 1):

For the Original Mermaid Artwork Reward (LIMITED TO 10):

You get one of these 8.5"x11", hand drawn and inked on bristol board original art pieces by Tom Bancroft. All have been pre-made for this Kickstarter and for his first-ever #MerMay Instagram event (where artists will post mermaid drawings every day in the month of May). These images will be seen the world around via Instagram. Own one of these originals AND get the book AND the Sketches PDF. (NOTE: It is artists' discretion on who will get which Mermaid piece, you can REQUEST one or say which one you DO NOT want, but artist will have final decision, to make things as fair as possible.)

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JUST ADDED- LIVE Character Design class with Tom Bancroft!

See the video below for a description of the class. See the two Reward Teirs:

1) $75 Reward- JUST the Live Character Design Class with Tom Bancroft

2) $100 Reward- The Live Character Design Class with Tom Bancroft, PLUS the Art of Tom Bancroft book (shipped to you once its printed).

Only a limited number of people can get those Rewards. Sign up now and tell a friend!

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"40 Days Introduction To Character Design Course" By Tom Bancroft

This is an exciting PREMIERE of a new, extensive course made available through this Kickstarter FIRST. Hit the video above for details, but here is what is included in print form:

-6 week program designed to teach the fundamentals of character design

-3 BRAND NEW instructional videos each week for you to build the foundation you need to create great designs

-Daily sketch prompts to get you in the habit of continuous improvement and stretching your skills

-Exclusive area to post/ share sketches and assignments with class peers and Tom Bancroft

-3 LIVE (and recorded) art reviews of class work with Tom Bancroft (with Q and A in each) spread out over the 6-week cour

- Start date will be announced later, but it will be before the end of the year!

-ALL FOR THE EXCLUSIVE- PREMIER DISCOUNTED PRICE!

Risks and challenges

There are always challenges to any print project. They include shipping delays from the printer (because of weather or other unforeseen problems), banking problems transferring the money through foreign banks, and shipping problems on my end with my short amount of available time because of my work schedule. BUT- I have been through this before and worked with this same Asian print company so I am aware and prepared to take on these challenges to make sure you get your book and will be happy with the results. That is important to me.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $20 or more
About $20

U.S. ONLY- Early Bird Special! – You get the BOOK! This is the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1”, signed and mailed to your door. WAHOO! You got it cheap! (No PDF sketchbook included in this tier)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $25 or more
About $25

U.S. ONLY- Early Bird Special- Twofer! – You get the BOOK! This is the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1” signed and mailed to your door. PLUS the “Tom Bancroft Sketches” sketchbook PDF emailed to you. BOTH at the cheap price!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $30 or more
About $30

REGULAR PRICE BOOK! (If the Early bird deal is sold out)- THIS is the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1” signed and mailed to your door. (No PDF sketchbook included, but you can select it as an add on, if you'd like.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $55 or more
About $55

FOR ARTISTS - This is the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1” signed and mailed to your door- PLUS the “Tom Bancroft Sketches” sketchbook PDF emailed to you - AND TWO 1 hour long (each) video art lessons: “Four Tips to better Character Designs” and “Intro to Character Design” by Tom Bancroft links emailed to you (provided through my company TaughtByAPro.com)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $60 or more
About $60

HEAD SKETCH - This is the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1” signed - AND with a HEAD SKETCH DRAWING in it by me (probably of a girl, superhero, or dragon character- my choice) and mailed to your door. (No PDF sketchbook included, but you can select it as an add on, if you'd like.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $75 or more
About $75

CHARACTER DESIGN CLASS! -Book NOT included- (see $100 Reward for that)- This will be a small version of the Character Design Course Reward. I will host a one time only class, LIVE via the web! ONLY this Kickstarter group will receive a character design assignment one week ahead of the live event. Turn it in via my email, and the night of the class I will: discuss character design principles, review all assignments as a group, answer some questions, and do LIVE draw overs over three of them. You WILL learn something! (NOTE: This will be a live, one night only event scheduled by me and will take place in the evening, most likely in August. If you can not attend for some reason, there will not be a refund. I will, though, make sure I tape it for you to review later.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

CHARACTER DESIGN CLASS! - WITH Art of Tom Bancroft Book included (once shipped). This will be a small version of the Character Design Course Reward. I will host a one time only class, LIVE via the web! ONLY this Kickstarter group will receive a character design assignment one week ahead of the live event. Turn it in via my email, and the night of the class I will: discuss character design principles, review all assignments as a group, answer some questions, and do LIVE draw overs over three of them. You WILL learn something! PLUS you get the Art of Tom Bancroft book shipped to you once its printed. (NOTE: This will be a live, one night only event scheduled by me and will take place in the evening, most likely in August. If you can not attend for some reason, there will not be a refund. I will, though, make sure I tape it for you to review later.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

RED SONJA ORIGINAL Interior ART -The hand inked (on 8.5 x 11” Bristol Board) artwork of Red Sonja (Note: inside the book it is digitally colored, this is the black and white original artwork). PLUS- the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1” signed- with original HEAD SKETCH- and mailed to your door- AND the “Tom Bancroft Sketches” sketchbook PDF emailed to you.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $200 or more
About $200

Anna and Elsa ORIGINAL Interior ART- The hand inked (on 8.5 x 11” Bristol Board) artwork of Anna and Elsa (Note: inside the book it is digitally colored, this is the black and white original artwork). PLUS- the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1” signed- with original HEAD SKETCH- and mailed to your door- AND the “Tom Bancroft Sketches” sketchbook PDF emailed to you.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

ORIGINAL ARTWORK- The Captain reading to his Woman tier- original, hand inked artwork on 9 x 12" bristol board by Tom Bancroft. INCLUDES an "Art of Tom Bancroft book". (Note: There is a bit more art to the right side, including the rest of Cap's foot.) See image on the middle, scroll down.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $300 or more
About $300

The ORIGINAL COVER ART- The hand inked (on 8.5 x 11” Bristol Board) artwork of the two Mermaids on their shellphones (the cover is digitally colored, this is the black and white original inked artwork). PLUS - the hard cover “Art of Tom Bancroft, Vol. 1” signed- with original HEAD SKETCH- and mailed to your door - AND the “Tom Bancroft Sketches” sketchbook PDF emailed to you.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $400 or more
About $400

EXCLUSIVE - EARLY BIRD SPECIAL - NEW, extensive “40 Days Introduction to Character Design” Course by Tom Bancroft . (See tier VIDEO description in middle section for more details). Will include: a 6 week program with 3 videos each week, daily sketch prompts with exclusive Facebook groups to post and share with class peers and Tom Bancroft, 3 LIVE (and recorded) art reviews of class work by Tom Bancroft (with Q and A in each session) spread out throughout 6 week course, exclusive Industry Pro interviews on Character design (including Tomm Moore, Skottie Young, Will Finn and more), and a PDF of the Character Design notes by Tom Bancroft.
(When we launch, this course will be at least $600)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $450 or more
About $450

EXCLUSIVE- NEW, extensive “40 Days Introduction to Character Design” Course by Tom Bancroft . (See tier VIDEO description in middle section for more details). Will include: a 6 week program with 3 videos each week, daily sketch prompts with exclusive Facebook groups to post and share with class peers and Tom Bancroft, 3 LIVE (and recorded) art reviews of class work by Tom Bancroft (with Q and A in each session) spread out throughout 6 week course, exclusive Industry Pro interviews on Character design (including Tomm Moore, Skottie Young, Will Finn and more), and a PDF of the Character Design notes by Tom Bancroft.
(When we launch, this course will be at least $600)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

LAST MINUTE- 5 SPOTS OPEN!! -EXCLUSIVE- NEW, extensive “40 Days Introduction to Character Design” Course by Tom Bancroft . (See tier VIDEO description in middle section for more details). Will include: a 6 week program with 3 videos each week, daily sketch prompts with exclusive Facebook groups to post and share with class peers and Tom Bancroft, 3 LIVE (and recorded) art reviews of class work by Tom Bancroft (with Q and A in each session) spread out throughout 6 week course, exclusive Industry Pro interviews on Character design (including Tomm Moore, Skottie Young, Will Finn and more), and a PDF of the Character Design notes by Tom Bancroft. This DOES include a Art of Tom Bancroft book shipped to you. (the other two Course rewards will also, I just forgot to add that.)
(When we launch, this course will be at least $600)